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What's New At Good Old Boat

Consider Buying New
by Michael Robertson

Buying new often makes sense. But when you’re in the market for a boat part, take a minute to consider whether that part is likely to be found used at a consignment or surplus store.

I remember each year carpooling down to Minney’s Yacht Surplus in Southern California for their annual parking-lot swap meet. It was an event. We’d wake excited and arrive before sunrise to find hundreds of people already doing business, flashlights in hand.

Recently the owner of Second Wave at the Boatyard, a consignment store in Gig Harbor, Washington, contacted me and reminded me of the greatness of these resources — and they’re everywhere there’s a concentration of boats. Many independent chandlers even dedicate a small part of their store to used boat stuff, usually items on consignment.

The savings are often spectacular for these “experienced” parts. So, when you’re in need of something that’s likely to be available used, take a minute to take a look. Besides, many of these stores look like the artful rendering of the Minney’s store above, the kind of place in which you’re liable to find that exactly perfect thing you weren’t looking for.

Good Old Boat Videos

Check out our latest videos on the Good Old BoatYouTube channel! We're now adding videos regularly. Some videos are supplements to articles in Good Old Boat and The Dogwatch, others will stand alone. In the our March April issue, for examples, read Drew Frye's article about Small Scale Solar. Then watch his video about his installation. It's a added perspective we hope you enjoy. Be sure to watch! Click here to check out Drew's video

Cavan Lyons, a documentary film student at Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies in Washington, traveled to Victoria, Vancouver, this past August to spend time with 76-year-old Jeanne Socrates ahead of her early-October departure on a voyage that, when completed, will result in Jeanne being the oldest person to ever have sailed solo, non-stop, unassisted around the world (she is already the oldest woman to have completed this feat).

Being a film student, Cavan brought his camera and produced an outstanding 12-minute mini-documentary that really communicates who Jeanne is. After watching it, you’ll feel like you spent the day with Jeanne aboard her boat.